Extracorporeal patch

Abstract

Apparatus is provided for use with skin of a subject and with a nerve under the skin, the apparatus including a patch, having an adhesive on a first side of the patch, configured to adhere the patch to the skin. A needle including a needle cathode protrudes from the first side of the patch and punctures the skin. The apparatus also includes an anode. Control circuitry is configured to stimulate the nerve by driving pulsatile current between the needle cathode and the anode. Other embodiments are also described.

1 . Apparatus for use with skin of a subject and with a nerve under the skin, the apparatus comprising:
 a patch, having an adhesive on a first side of the patch, configured to adhere the patch to the skin;   a needle comprising a needle cathode, protruding from the first side of the patch and configured to puncture the skin;   an anode; and   control circuitry, configured to stimulate the nerve by driving pulsatile current between the needle cathode and the anode.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the anode is disposed at the first side of the patch. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the anode is disposed on a proximal portion of the needle and the needle cathode is disposed on a distal portion of the needle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry comprises a light emitting diode (LED), configured to emit light upon the patch being adhered to the skin of the subject, that is disposed on a second side of the patch opposite to the first side of the patch. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the patch is shaped to define at least one window, the window positioned to allow visualizing of the needle cathode during puncturing of the skin by the needle cathode. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the patch does not comprise a drug. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the needle is a first needle, and wherein the apparatus further comprises a second needle, the second needle (a) comprising the anode, (b) protruding from the first side of the patch, and (c) configured to puncture the skin. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein a distance between the first and second needles is 5-12 mm. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the nerve is a tibial nerve of the subject, wherein the control circuitry is configured to stimulate the tibial nerve by driving pulsatile current between the needle cathode and the anode, and wherein a length of the needle is 2-8 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , for use with a wireless transmitter, wherein the control circuitry further comprises a wireless receiver configured to receive data from the wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         13 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry comprises at least one physiological sensor. 
     
     
         16 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the patch comprises a drug for delivery to the subject through the skin of the subject. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the drug is an analgesic. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein (a) the patch constantly administers the drug through the skin of the subject when the patch is adhered to the skin, and (b) the control circuitry comprises a user control and is configured to stimulate the nerve upon the user control being activated. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is disposed at an edge of the patch, and wherein the patch has a non-adhesive zone on the first side of the patch, in a central region of the patch. 
     
     
         23 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the control circuitry comprises a battery configured to power the control circuitry to stimulate the nerve for 1-7 days. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the patch is shaped to define a fold-line, the needle cathode being disposed along the fold-line. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the patch is folded along the fold-line, and wherein the fold of the patch along the fold-line facilitates insertion of the needle cathode into the skin prior to unfolding of the patch. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 27 , wherein the patch is folded along the fold-line, the first side of the patch facing outwards. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising an ultrasound transducer interface, configured to removably secure the patch to an ultrasound transducer. 
     
     
         31 - 86 . (canceled)